Bucs need a boost in All-Star balloting

May 30th, 2017

PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates were not represented on the first Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot update for the National League, which was released Tuesday by Major League Baseball.
None of Pittsburgh's eligible infielders rank among the top five vote-getters at their respective positions, and , and were not among the top 15 in the outfield balloting.
The ballot does not include pitchers, however, and the Bucs' two top candidates for the MLB All-Star Game presented by MasterCard do their work on the mound: starter and reliever .
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Nova entered his start Tuesday tied for third among NL pitchers in innings (70), fourth in ERA (2.83), eighth in WHIP (1.09) and first in complete games (two) and shutouts (one). Rivero is tied for the NL lead with 27 appearances, and the quality of his work might exceed the quantity. Rivero owns a 0.67 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings.
Infielder Josh Harrison is perhaps the Pirates' most deserving position player two months into the season. The super-utility man has returned to his 2014 All-Star form, slashing .303/.364/.452 with six home runs in 50 games entering Tuesday. According to FanGraphs, Harrison is tied for second among NL second basemen with 1.4 Wins Above Replacement.
Frazier has earned attention with his smooth swing and impressive numbers -- he's batting .324/.405/.459 in 32 games -- but a hamstring strain cost him nearly three weeks in late April and early May.

Fans may cast votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on computers, tablets and smartphones -- exclusively online using the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday, June 29, at 11:59 p.m. ET. On smartphones and tablets, fans can also access the ballot via the MLB.com At Bat and MLB.com Ballpark mobile apps. Vote up to five times in any 24-hour period for a maximum of 35 ballots cast.
Following the announcement of the 2017 All-Star starters, reserves and pitchers, fans should return to MLB.com and cast their 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player on each league's All-Star roster. Then on Tuesday, July 11, while watching the 2017 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard live on FOX, fans may visit MLB.com to submit their choices for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet with the 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.
The 88th Midsummer Classic, at Marlins Park in Miami, will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM will have comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, please visit AllStarGame.com and follow @AllStarGame on social media.